EPICentre | NextGen CTO Program Applications Open

Intellectual property (IP) is an important asset contributing to a company’s innovation and growth. Understanding how IP can be leveraged in business decisions is an important role for a Chief Technology/ Technical Officer (CTO). Funded by FedDev Ontario, the University of Windsor EPICentre’s NextGen CTO Program is a five-week program open to students from all faculties, business owners, and entrepreneurs in our community who want to learn more about leveraging IP in their projects and businesses.

With nearly 1,000 past participants, the NextGen CTO Program is again ready to help develop the next generation of CTOs (Chief Technology/Technical Officers). CTOs are important executive-level positions especially in innovation-driven companies as they lead the technology department and oversee the development and innovation of new products and services. The role of “CTO” isn’t just for big companies though. Understanding the importance and power of IP is something every change-maker, doer, and thinker should know.

The program combines an on-demand online course developed by the Centre for International Governance Innovation and weekly virtual meetings with expert speakers and panelists. The Foundations of IP Strategy online course used in this program was co-authored by Senior Fellows Karima Bawa and University of Windsor Law Professor Myra Tawfik.

Participants who successfully complete the program will be issued micro-credential badges, a skills-based credential system that validates skills and accomplishments that can be acknowledged on their resumes, LinkedIn, and business webpages.

Applications for this program are officially open!